News
Spirits Vital for Tourism and Economy
Posted on Tuesday, 27 October 2009 | Permalink
The Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania says the TT-Line passenger ferries continue to prove their worth to the Tasmanian tourism industry and the economy.
TICT Chief Executive Officer Daniel Hanna said today that the release of the TT Line Annual Report demonstrated just how vital the service is to Tasmania.
“The introduction of Spirit of Tasmania I and II was one of the major factors that lifted tourism visitor numbers in this State from a plateau of about 450,000 in the mid-1990s to the current record level of 907,000,” Mr Hanna said.
The TT-Line annual report shows that the Spirits carried about 390,000 passengers and 182,500 passenger vehicles in the 12 months to the end of June; an increase on the previous financial year.
“The advocacy of the Tasmanian tourism industry was a driving force behind the decision to buy the two Spirit of Tasmania ferries and it has proven a major success.
“The Spirits provide a major benefit to the Tasmanian economy as well as for Tasmanians wanting to travel interstate. It has been shown that visitors who arrive by sea stay in Tasmania longer, travel more broadly in regional areas and spend more when they are here.
“In fact, interstate visitors that arrived in Tasmania on Spirit of Tasmania I and II spent nearly $300 million when they were in the state. This spending is the life-blood of many regional areas and small towns in Tasmania and boosts employment in tourism right throughout the state.
“TT Line is more than just infrastructure, it is a major stimulus for our economy and our society. It is vital that this contribution is considered by all who read the Annual Report of the TT Line each year.
“Importantly the TT-Line is a big investor in destination marketing interstate and its recent promotions aimed at attracting Spirit passengers also promote Tasmania more generally, thus also helping to attract people who arrive by air.
“The tourism industry also recognises that the TT Line Board and management team have played a vital role in delivering this strong result for the state. To deliver increased passenger numbers and vehicles in the current challenging and highly competitive travel market is an outstanding achievement. The TICT particularly want to acknowledge the outstanding leadership of the Chairman, Mr Denis Rogers AO; and the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Charles Griplas,” Mr Hanna said.
The report also highlights that Spirit of Tasmania had the highest ad recall for travel between Victoria and Tasmania with their web site receiving1.19 million visits – a three per cent increase over the previous year. The TT-Line also distributed 525,000 direct mail pieces and was represented at about 40 consumer and trade shows, attended by more than 1.2 million people.
